Back-Saver Snow Shovel

ABSTRACT

An apparatus includes a handle configured to be held by a user. The apparatus also includes a curled bucket configured to collect material. The curled bucket having a base configured to be moved along a surface to collect the material. The apparatus also includes a pivot member connecting the handle and the curled bucket. The pivot member allows the angular orientation of the curled bucket relative to the handle to be adjusted as directed by a force being applied to the pivot member by the handle.

CLAIM OF PRIORITY

This application claims priority under 35 USC §119(e) to U.S. PatentApplication Ser. No. 62/029,004, filed on Jul. 25, 2014, the entirecontents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND

This disclosure relates to tools for snow removal, and more particularlyto a snow shovel that requires less effort to use and, thus, results inless strain on and/or injury to the users.

Shoveling snow puts a strain on various parts of the body, including thewrists, neck shoulders, back, and hips, and can result in injury. Forexample, one study published in The American Journal of EmergencyMedicine (Watson et al, January 2011) found that an average of 11,500snow shoveling-related injuries and medical emergencies were treated inU.S. emergency departments every year from 1990 to 2006. And thesenumbers do not account for those individuals who are injured and do notseek medical treatment. Shovels have been around for thousands of years,but changes have been few regarding design and functionality.

SUMMARY

A back-saver snow shovel is a cost-effective, specially designed snowshovel that makes it easier to move snow, thereby reducing the number ofinjuries associated with the use of conventional shovels. The shovel isa pivoting (moving left or right), self-leveling, mini-push snow plow,which is designed to make snow removal easier and faster. The shovel canalleviate strain and pressure on the human body. The details of one ormore of the embodiments of this disclosure are set forth in theaccompanying drawings and descriptions below. Other features, objects,and advantages of the disclosure will be apparent from the descriptions,drawings, and from the claims.

In one aspect, an apparatus includes a handle configured to be held by auser. The apparatus also includes a curled bucket configured to collectmaterial. The curled bucket having a base configured to be moved along asurface to collect the material. The apparatus also includes a pivotmember connecting the handle and the curled bucket. The pivot memberallows the angular orientation of the curled bucket relative to thehandle to be adjusted as directed by a force being applied to the pivotmember by the handle.

Implementations may include one or more of the following features. Thepivot member may allow the angular orientation of the curled bucketrelative to the handle to be adjusted in one of two opposing directions.The pivot member may allow the angular orientation of the curled bucketrelative to the handle to be adjusted over first angular range in onedirection and a second angular range in a second direction. The firstangular range may be substantially equivalent to the second angularrange. The first angular range may be different from the second angularrange. The first angular range and the second angular range may beapproximately ten degrees. The handle may include a T-grip. The curledbucket may include a tapered font edge. The curled bucket may include afoot rest. A front edge of the curled bucket may be rounded. The base ofthe curled bucket may include grooves for moving the curled bucket alongthe surface to collect the material.

These and other aspects, features, and various combinations may beexpressed as methods, apparatus, systems, etc.

Other features and advantages will be apparent from the description andthe claims.

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1-6 illustrate a back-saver snow shovel's pivoting capabilities.

FIG. 7 illustrates a tapered snow shovel.

FIGS. 8 and 9 illustrate a tapered work shovel.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In shovel design (which is referred to as the Back-Saver Snow Shovel) avariety of features are provided, e.g., the ability to self-level due toits flat-bottom base, in combination with a pivot-pin, which also allowsfor slight play in movement (e.g., in the horizontal direction, verticaldirection, etc.). Another feature appears on the front of thebucket-blade—at both ends, the tips are slightly rounded to act as aguide to go over cracks, ridges and seams in walkways, decks, or patios,etc. The ability of the bucket to self-level combined with the angle ofthe blade and the slightly rounded ends allows the user to push snowwithout stopping abruptly due to cracks or seams, which can cause injuryto the user.

Referring to FIG. 1 illustrates, in one arrangement, a mini-push snowplow 100 with a curled bucket 101. Various types of materials (e.g.,plastics, composites, metals, etc.) may be used produce the componentsof the mini-push snow plow 100.

Referring to FIG. 2, another perspective view of a shovel (e.g., themini-push snow plow 100) is provided to show the base of a curled bucket200 may include a flat-like platform that allows the plow to levelitself with the help of a specially designed pivot mechanism (shown inFIG. 4, as including an over-sized cavity 401 and a pivot/locking pin402), which is located at the base of the handle/shaft. In onearrangement, an exemplary handle 500 is presented in FIG. 5. In onearrangement, the bottom surface of the base of a bucket (e.g., thecurled bucket 200 shown in FIG. 2) may include one or more surfacepatterns such as recessed grooves to reduce friction. Further, in somearrangements, for example shown in FIG. 2, a blade 201 may extendslightly past the top of the curl. However, in some arrangements theblade may precede or be in substantial alignment with the blade.

Referring to FIG. 3, angles of a plow 300 are illustrated that are usedto disperse snow to the right, left or forward. Various angular ranges(e.g., between 0 and 90 degrees) may achieved based upon the design. Insome arrangements the range of angles provided in one direction (e.g.,to the right) may be equivalent to the range of angles provided in theopposite direction (e.g., to the left). However, such angles provided inthe two opposing direction need not be equivalent. For example, a largerangular swing may be provided in one direction (e.g., to the left) andless of an angular swing may be provided in the opposing direction(e.g., to the right). For example, the size, shape, etc. of theinterface of the handle and curled bucket (e.g., the over-sized cavity401 and the pivot/locking pin 402) may be adjusted to provide variousangular ranges in one or both of the opposing directions (e.g., to theleft and to the right).

Referring to FIG. 4, the pivot is strategically located for both balanceand resistance, and in this arrangement is centered at the base of theshovel, illustrating the over-sized cavity 401 to accept a handle/shaft(e.g., the handle 500 shown in FIG. 5). FIG. 4 also illustrates thepivot/locking pin 402 that allows the handle/shaft to disconnect. Theover-sized cavity 401 and the pivot/locking pin 402 allow the bucket toswivel approximately 10 degrees right and left, in this example. Howeverother angles can be achieved through design, which may or may not dependupon the size of the cavity. The mini-plow also can operate at zerodegrees, meaning at no angle or just plowing forward. The over-sizedcavity 101 may also be designed to allow movement in other directions(e.g., the vertical direction). Operating the plow is automatic; inother words, it's how the user approaches the snow with the shovel thatwill determine how the mini-plow works. For example, if the bucket firstcatches the snow on the right edge, the mini-plow will automaticallypivot to the right, or likewise to the left. In general, thepivot/locking-pin connects the handle/shaft to the bucket, and alsoallows the bucket to pivot to the right or left. There are a number ofways to achieve this effect. One method to achieve this pivoting effectis to have a durable pin run through the housing of the base—and thenthrough a hole in the handle/shaft and back into the base. Anothermethod is a self-contained pivot mechanism, whereby the handle/shaft canbe screwed, snapped, etc. on to the pivot mechanism.

Referring to FIG. 5, illustrates a side view of one shovel arrangement.From this viewing perspective, the angular relationship of the shovelcomponents is presented. In this particular example, the shovel includesthe handle 500 and slightly rounded ends or tips 501 on a bucket blade(e.g., a bucket blade 201 shown in FIG. 2).

Referring to FIG. 6, another potential shovel arrangement is presented.In this example, the shovel handle includes a T-grip 600. The benefitsof this feature can include making it easier for the user to push theplow, and requiring no bending, thus greatly reducing the risk ofsoreness and/or injury to the back muscles.

Referring to FIG. 7, another shove arrangement is presented. In thisexample, features of a tapered snow shovel 700 are shown as related tothe back-saver shovel when in its angular position. The benefits of thetapered snow shovel include having a tapered bucket blade 701 incombination with a slightly rounded high front guard tip 702 that canact as a guide to glide over various surface imperfections such ascracks, seams, ridges, and divots in terrain such as walkways,driveways, etc. Because the bucket is tapered at an angle, it is able tocut under snow with less effort than the standard straight-edged shovel.This feature also can also be an advantage in cutting through layers ofice that might be under the snow pack. The tapered snow shovel 700 canbe used like a standard snow shovel in lifting snow. In somearrangements, the tapered snow shovel can be personalized by being aleft- or right-handed shovel by reversing the taper.

Referring to FIG. 8, one arrangement of a tapered work shovel hasslightly rounded ends 802. As with the tapered snow shovel, the combinedfeatures of having a tapered angle and slightly rounded ends, allows theshovel to glide over imperfections such as cracks, seams, ridges, anddivots in terrain such as walkways, driveways, etc. The user also isable to cut under a pile of debris (i.e., dirt, gravel) with less effortthan the standard straight-edged shovel. It can be used as a combinationof shovels, like a flat shovel, spade, or an edger. Also, the taperedangle of front edge may be designed for particular individuals, e.g.,personalized by being a left- or right-handed shovel by reversing thetaper.

Referring to FIG. 9, this illustrates a tapered work shovel 900 with anoptional foot rest 901 that allows additional pressure from the usersleg/foot, thereby making it easier to dig.

A number of embodiments have been described. Nevertheless, it will beunderstood that various modifications can be made without departing fromthe spirit and scope of the processes and techniques described herein.In addition, other components can be added to, or removed from, thedescribed subject matter. Accordingly, other embodiments are within thescope of the following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. An apparatus comprising: a handle configured tobe held by a user; a curled bucket configured to collect material, thecurled bucket having a base configured to be moved along a surface tocollect the material; and a pivot member connecting the handle and thecurled bucket, wherein the pivot member allows the angular orientationof the curled bucket relative to the handle to be adjusted as directedby a force being applied to the pivot member by the handle.
 2. Theapparatus of claim 1, wherein the pivot member allows the angularorientation of the curled bucket relative to the handle to be adjustedin one of two opposing directions.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1, whereinthe pivot member allows the angular orientation of the curled bucketrelative to the handle to be adjusted over first angular range in onedirection and a second angular range in a second direction.
 4. Theapparatus of claim 3, wherein the first angular range is substantiallyequivalent to the second angular range.
 5. The apparatus of claim 3,wherein the first angular range is different from the second angularrange.
 6. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the first angular range andthe second angular range is approximately ten degrees.
 7. The apparatusof claim 1, wherein the handle includes a T-grip.
 8. The apparatus ofclaim 1, wherein the curled bucket includes a tapered font edge.
 9. Theapparatus of claim 1, wherein the curled bucket includes a foot rest.10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein a front edge of the curled bucketis rounded.
 11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the base of the curledbucket includes grooves for moving the curled bucket along the surfaceto collect the material.